Casablanca – Morocco is setting its sights on a new frontier in marine development: seaweed farming. Long overlooked, this sector is now gaining momentum as a strategic lever for job creation, sustainable investment, and economic diversification. Government leaders, industry stakeholders, and international partners are coming together to transform the country’s long coastline into a hub for an emerging industry with vast global potential.

Unlocking a hidden opportunity

The potential of seaweed farming was at the center of a national dialogue held in Rabat in late September 2025, organized by the National Agency for Aquaculture Development (ANDA) with support from the World Bank. The meeting aimed to build a shared strategy for scaling up Morocco’s aquaculture production and tapping into the fast-growing international seaweed market.

Current figures reveal the magnitude of the opportunity. Morocco’s aquaculture output remains modest, at roughly 3,500 tons per year, but the country’s natural potential exceeds 600,000 tons. According to World Bank estimates, reaching a production level of 300,000 tons annually could generate as many as 36,000 jobs and create around $450 million in revenue. Such growth would place Morocco among the top performers in sustainable aquaculture across the region.

A clear national ambition

The government has made it clear that seaweed cultivation is not just a niche industry but a cornerstone of its blue economy strategy. Officials emphasize that the sector offers more than economic gains. Seaweed absorbs carbon, helps reduce ocean acidification, and restores marine ecosystems, giving it an environmental value that aligns with Morocco’s climate commitments.

“Morocco’s long Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, favorable ocean conditions, and trained workforce provide an unmatched base to develop this industry,” said one government representative at the event. The vision is to build an industry that combines innovation, environmental stewardship, and high-value production, turning natural advantages into sustainable wealth.

Seaweed as a global growth market

International demand reinforces Morocco’s ambitions. The global seaweed industry is projected to expand at an annual rate of roughly 10%, with market value expected to surpass $30 billion within the next decade. Over 95% of the world’s supply already comes from aquaculture rather than wild harvesting, and buyers range from food processors to pharmaceutical companies, bioplastic producers, and cosmetics brands.

This diversity of applications is one of seaweed’s greatest strengths. Beyond its use as food for humans and animals, seaweed can be processed into agricultural biostimulants, biofuels, textiles, and advanced biomaterials. For Morocco, these industries represent not only export potential but also opportunities for local manufacturing and technology-driven value chains.

Early steps and expanding projects

Morocco is already laying the groundwork for this transformation. Data presented at the Rabat dialogue show 183 aquaculture projects underway nationwide, with a combined annual production target of 71,000 tons. Seaweed farms account for a growing share of this activity, with 70 licensed operations aiming for 92,000 tons of production each year.

These projects are backed by significant investment. Planned spending on seaweed farming is currently estimated at about $41 million, covering close to 970 hectares of cultivation zones. When fully operational, the farms are expected to provide around 850 direct jobs, with thousands more in related services such as processing, logistics, and marketing.

Beyond macroalgae cultivation in the ocean, Morocco is also exploring land-based microalgae production. This technology opens new possibilities in pharmaceuticals, specialty foods, and high-tech materials, further expanding the sector’s future scope.

Challenges and the path ahead

Despite its promise, the industry faces hurdles that must be overcome to achieve large-scale success. Stakeholders point to slow permitting processes, infrastructure gaps, and high input costs as barriers to private investment. Coordination among regulators, farmers, and investors also needs improvement to create a seamless value chain from cultivation to export.

The World Bank has expressed readiness to assist Morocco in addressing these issues by supporting regulatory reforms, mobilizing financing, and reducing risks for private partners. According to its Maghreb office, tackling these obstacles will be essential if Morocco is to capture the full economic and environmental benefits of seaweed farming.

A future pillar of the blue economy

Morocco’s development model identifies aquaculture as a key component of food security and marine resource management. Seaweed farming, in particular, has emerged as one of the most promising branches of this strategy. Already responsible for more than 40% of projected aquaculture production and a growing share of investment, the sector is moving from concept to reality.

With global demand surging and domestic projects multiplying, Morocco stands at a pivotal moment. If it can scale production, strengthen value chains, and attract sustained investment, seaweed farming could become a new pillar of the national economy, blending environmental sustainability with high-value industrial growth. From the waves of the Atlantic to the shelves of international markets, Moroccan seaweed may soon become a symbol of the country’s blue economy ambitions.